CIHR's Institute of Infection and Immunity

A Case of Nerves

Potential new cure for type 1 diabetes?

Sensory neurons control diabetic islet inflammation

Finding
Researchers figured out that malfunctioning pain nerves may play a key role in type 1 diabetes. Insulin production seems to rely on a hormone released by these cells called substance P. In experiments with mice, they found that faulty nerve cells don't produce enough hormone, which affects the amount of insulin produced and the way it works. This produces chronic stress for islet cells, which die and, in turn, trigger an immune response that further damages the islet cells. Injecting substance P into diabetic mice stopped the inflammation and cured the diabetes for weeks to months.

Impact
The finding provides hope of a cure for diabetes. Human trials based on the research are starting in early spring 2007.

Team
Drs. Hans-Michael Dosch (right) and Michael Salter (left) from the Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, were principal investigators on the project.